by Monique Cuillerier
On October 18th, WPSN-C had the pleasure of co-hosting, along with the Equality Fund and the University of Ottawa Gender, Peace and Security Collaboratory, a hybrid panel discussion with three Ukrainian activists.
The delegation was in Canada hosted by the Equality Fund and included Natalia Karbowska, a representative of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, and representatives from two grantee partners, Kateryna Cherepakha (La Strada-Ukraine) and Olena Suslova (Women’s Information Consultative Centre).
Their schedule in Canada included meetings with politicians, officials and this public event.
The panel discussion, Resistance and Resilience: Reflections from Ukrainian Activists, was moderated by Bénédicte Santoire, a PhD Candidate and Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Ottawa and a member of the WPSN-C Steering Committee.
The event was opened with a welcome from Rebecca Tiessen, Director of the Gender, Peace and Security Collaboratory at the University of Ottawa, and context provided by Beth Woroniuk, the Vice President – Policy at the Equality Fund and chair of the WPSN-C.
Highlights from the discussion
The discussion began with a question about the feminist response from Ukrainian civil society to the invasion
- Kateryna shared that the response was quick and displayed unity as accommodations were made and changes to previous strategic plans were made in order to use their knowledge to protect the country.
- The response also included advocacy
Natalia was asked about what changed for her organization with the ongoing challenges posed by the invasion
- She talked about how women’s organizations are deeply rooted in their communities and, in this situation, many women became internally displaced persons (IDPs) while continuing to provide what aid they could
- When international humanitarian organizations came, some merely provided financial aid without other support but nonetheless asked for video of ‘happy recipients’
- Terrible burnout for activists and volunteers who are too tired to think about self-care
- The Ukrainian Women’s Fund changed their grantmaking portfolio to add rapid response and travel grants. They also added 10% to grants for resiliency grants, leaving it up to the organization to decide how to use that.
Olena spoke about how the WPS agenda has evolved in Ukraine., with its first National Action Plan coming in 2016
- Olena also spoke about asking for military support as a feminist. She used the analogy of sexual assault and expectations around women’s behaviour and response. While ideally, situations like this would be prevented through a culture of peace, they are currently in a situation where the options are to defend themselves or die.
International solidarity is helping
- They need to get their voices heard
- There is a role for the international community to help, but it is very important for the international community not to decide on matters on their behalf
What message do they have for Canadian decision-makers?
- Important to continue to support Ukraine, including for the sake of global security and safety
- Call for decision-makers and civil society to look at feminist transitional justice
- Women need a voice at the tables where decisions are being made
- There is a need for long-term, flexible feminist support
- Canada is famous for its Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), and this is the perfect vehicle for that
- They would like to be a success story for FIAP
Sexual violence
Survivors need support
- Training for specialists, including the police, judges, prosecutors, etc
- Need to strengthen networks, local stakeholders
- Survivor-centered approach, special department of general prosecutor
Sexual violence against men
- There are many cases of sexual violence against men, often in the context of captivity and torture
- Because of the stigma and stereotypes, they are not always identified as sexual violence
Money for reparations is needed
- People who suffered need much more than one payment for rehabilitation and support, long-term work is required
- Reparations are needed now, not 25 years from now, as has happened elsewhere
Participants
Natalia Karbowska is the co-founder and director of strategic development of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund. Under her leadership, the Fund has provided more than € 5.5 million in grants to women’s rights organizations in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
Kateryna Cherepakha is president of La Strada-Ukraine, a civil society organization focused on gender-based violence, the protection of the rights of children, and the promotion of women’s rights and gender equality.
Olena Suslova is a human rights, gender activist and researcher. She has worked in Ukraine, as well as countries of the former Soviet Union, on gender, peace culture, and conflict resolution. She founded the Women’s Information Consultative Center in 1995.
The views in this blog are those of the author only and do not necessarily represent those of the WPSN-C or its membership.
Monique Cuillerier is the coordinator of the Women, Peace and Security Network – Canada.
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